Abstract: Various embodiments provide a device for measuring the flow of fluid inside a tube moved by a peristaltic pump is provided with: a detection electrode arrangement coupled to the tube to detect an electrostatic charge variation originated by the mechanical action of the peristaltic pump on the tube; a signal processing stage, electrically coupled to the detection electrode arrangement to generate an electrical charge variation signal; and a processing unit, coupled to the signal processing stage to receive and process in the frequency domain the electrical charge variation signal to obtain information on the flow of a fluid that flows through the tube based on the analysis of frequency characteristics of the electrical charge variation signal.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a flame comprises a carbon dioxide sensor for detecting a CO2 concentration, a fuel sensor for detecting the combustion of a fuel, an electrostatic charge variation sensor for detecting electrostatic charge variations generated by the flame, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to acquire a carbon dioxide signal indicative of the concentration of carbon dioxide, a fuel signal indicative of the fuel combustion, and an electrostatic charge variation signal indicative of a difference between the electrostatic charge variations detected by a first and a second electrode of the electrostatic charge variation sensor, determine a quantized signal based on the electrostatic charge variation signal, determine an aggregate datum based on the carbon dioxide signal, the fuel signal and the electrostatic charge variation signal, and generate, based on the aggregate datum, a flame signal indicative of the presence or absence of the flame.

Abstract: A user context and/or activity detection device envisages a pressure sensor, configured to provide a pressure signal; an electrostatic-charge-variation sensor, configured to provide a charge-variation signal indicative of a variation of electrostatic charge associated with the user; and a processing unit, which is coupled to the pressure sensor and to the electrostatic-charge-variation sensor so as to receive the pressure signal and the charge-variation signal and is configured to jointly process the pressure signal and charge-variation signal for detecting changes in level or altitude.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing the operating state of a MEMS sensor includes a stimulation circuit, external to the MEMS sensor, configured to generate a stimulation signal designed to be detected by the MEMS sensor. The system has control circuitry, operatively coupled to the stimulation circuit and to the MEMS sensor, so as to control the stimulation circuit to generate the stimulation signal and receive a diagnostic signal generated by the MEMS sensor in response to the stimulation signal. The control circuitry determines an operating state of the MEMS sensor based on the diagnostic signal and an expected response to the stimulation signal by the MEMS sensor.

Abstract: An analysis method of a device through a MEMS sensor is provided in which the MEMS sensor includes a control unit and a sensing assembly coupled to the device. The analysis method includes acquiring, through the sensing assembly, first data indicative of an operative state of the device. Testing is performed for the presence of a first abnormal operating condition of the device. If the first abnormal operating condition of the device is confirmed, a self-test of the sensing assembly is performed to generate a quantity indicative of an operative state of the sensing assembly. The self-test includes acquiring, through the sensing assembly, second data indicative of the operative state of the sensing assembly, generating a signature according to the second data, and processing the signature through deep learning techniques to generate said quantity.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclose various tympanometry techniques. A tympanometry curve is generated for a user based at least in part on audio data indicative of a sound absorbance associated with a middle ear (ME) system over a fragment of an evaluation time period. A curve-pressure pair including the tympanometry curve and a correlating pressure measurement is generated and utilized to identify historical data indicative of a plurality of historical curve-pressure pairs with similar pressure measurements to the correlating pressure measurement. A performance metric is generated for the ME system of the user based at least in part on a comparison between the tympanometry curve and the historical data.

Abstract: A control method of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a control unit coupled to a proximity sensor to detect a first distance of a user in a field of view, and coupled to a charge variation sensor to detect an electric/electrostatic charge variation caused by the user in a detection region. The control method includes acquiring a charge variation signal and generating charge variation parameters as a function of the charge variation signal. The control method further includes determining whether a condition on charge variation parameters is verified, and if the condition on charge variation parameters is verified, activating the proximity sensor and acquiring a proximity signal. Proximity parameters are generated as a function of the proximity signal. If a condition on proximity parameters is verified, one or more functionalities of the apparatus are activated.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a device for measuring the flow of fluid inside a tube moved by a peristaltic pump is provided with: a detection electrode arrangement coupled to the tube to detect an electrostatic charge variation originated by the mechanical action of the peristaltic pump on the tube; a signal processing stage, electrically coupled to the detection electrode arrangement to generate an electrical charge variation signal; and a processing unit, coupled to the signal processing stage to receive and process in the frequency domain the electrical charge variation signal to obtain information on the flow of a fluid that flows through the tube based on the analysis of frequency characteristics of the electrical charge variation signal.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a passive infrared sensor, a control circuit, and a lens that directs infrared radiation onto the passive infrared sensor. The lens includes an obstruction that asymmetrically blocks transmission of infrared radiation through the lens. The control circuit is configured to determine the direction of crossing of individuals passing in front of the sensor device based on sensor signals from the passive infrared sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices and methods for performing screen state detection. The screen state detection may be used in conjunction with any device with a bendable display. The device and method utilizes an electrostatic charge variation sensor to detect whether the display is in an open state or a closed state.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-tests for electrostatic charge variation sensors. The self-tests ensure an electrostatic charge variation sensor is functioning properly. The self-tests may be performed while an electrostatic charge variation sensor is active and without interruption to the application employing the electrostatic charge variation sensor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes sensing circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry processes received sensor-session requests and received sensor-service requests. Processing a received sensor-service request includes determining a type of the received sensor-service request. In response to determining the received sensor-service request is of a first type, results information is generated in response to the received sensor-service request of the first type based on sensor data generated by the sensing circuitry. In response to determining the received sensor-service request is of a second type, remote-server processing based on the received sensor-service request of the second type is initiated, and a response to the received sensor-service request of the second type is generated based on a received response to the initiated remote-server processing.

Abstract: A system and method for determining handedness in a device. The system including a first electrode, a second electrode, a sensor, and a processing circuit coupled to each other. The first electrode is placed at a first location, and the second electrode is placed at a second location on the device—the first location is different from the second location. The electrodes are configured to sense a variation in an electrostatic field in response to a user interacting with the device. The sensor detects a differential potential between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the processing circuit determines whether the user is interacting with the device using a left hand or a right hand. The determining is based on data received from the sensor corresponding to the differential potential.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a device for measuring the flow of fluid inside a tube moved by a peristaltic pump is provided with: a detection electrode arrangement coupled to the tube to detect an electrostatic charge variation originated by the mechanical action of the peristaltic pump on the tube; a signal processing stage, electrically coupled to the detection electrode arrangement to generate an electrical charge variation signal; and a processing unit, coupled to the signal processing stage to receive and process in the frequency domain the electrical charge variation signal to obtain information on the flow of a fluid that flows through the tube based on the analysis of frequency characteristics of the electrical charge variation signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a detection device includes: an infrared temperature sensor configured to provide a temperature signal associated with an heat emission of at least one individual within a monitored area; an electrostatic-charge-variation sensor configured to provide a charge-variation signal indicative of a variation of electrostatic charge associated with the at least one individual; and a processing unit, coupled to the infrared temperature sensor and to the electrostatic-charge-variation sensor, the processing unit configured to detect a presence of the at least one individual within the monitored area by receiving the temperature signal and the charge-variation signal, and jointly processing the temperature signal and charge.

Abstract: An earphone device has a casing having a measurement portion dedicated to acquisition of at least one measurement quantity with the earphone device arranged outside an ear of a subject. The earphone device is provided with at least one sensor, operatively coupled to the measurement portion within the casing for acquiring signals indicative of the measurement quantity, and a processing module that processes the signals acquired by the sensor so as to provide a processed output signal for monitoring the measurement quantity, as a function of the acquired signals. Electrical-connection elements define electrical paths within the casing in electrical connection with the sensor.

Abstract: A system for measuring cardiac parameters uses a movements sensor to generate a seismocardiographic signal and a cardiac parameters calculation unit. The cardiac parameters calculation unit provides for generating an envelope signal correlated to the seismocardiographic signal; identifies, in the envelope signal, signal segments having a repetitive pattern; identifies, among the signal segments, pairs of successive peaks such that a first peak of each pair of successive peaks is a systolic peak and a second peak of each pair of successive peaks is a diastolic peak; and calculates a systolic period and a diastolic period for each pair of successive peaks.

Abstract: A system for detecting a presence in an environment to be monitored includes an electrostatic charge variation sensor, a vibration sensor, and an environmental pressure sensor. A processing unit is configured to acquire, from the electrostatic charge variation sensor, an electrostatic charge variation signal, and detect in the electrostatic charge variation signal, first signal characteristics indicative of the presence of a subject in the environment to be monitored. The processing unit further validates the detection of presence of the subject using the vibration and pressure signals provided by the other sensors.

Abstract: A method for presence detection in an environment to be monitored, includes generating an electric charge signal in a condition of absence of presence in the environment to be monitored. An electric charge signal is generated in an operating condition in which a person may be present in the environment. The two generated signals are processed and the results of the processing are compared. Processing the signals includes representing in a biaxial reference system the value of the charge signal considered and its derivative with respect to time, and identifying a plurality of points in the reference system. By comparing the position of the points acquired during the possible human presence with those of the base shape, a variation indicating the actual human presence may be detected. In this case an alarm signal is generated.

Abstract: A sensor is driven at a first heating power value. The sensor generates a sensing signal that is indicative of a sensed entity. A possible onset of a sensor contamination condition is detected as a function of the sensing signal generated by the sensor. If such detecting fails to indicate onset of a sensor contamination condition, the sensor continues to be driven at the first heating power value. However, if such detecting indicates onset of a sensor contamination condition, a protection mode is activated. In the protection mode, the sensor is driven at a second heating power value for a protection interval, where the second heating power value is lower than the first heating power value. Furthermore, the operation may refrain from supplying power to the sensor for a further protection interval, wherein the further protection interval is longer than the protection interval.